Steering wheel is so loose it moves 3" to 4" LtoR, top to bottom

SCAREY aint it? Its my spouce work truck and he drives it (very cautiously now), almost everyday since 1991 when he left the showroom with it!!! Help me get his attention with some advice or links to such repairs!!
I need him safe!!!

Where does the slack seem to be ? I need more help and info to help? Please do not rate me till I have helped you solve your problem, please do not rate me at all If I can't help you solve your problem. I have had the same problems in the past, tie rod ends, poor alignment, loose tilt wheel mechanism, idler arm, to much clearance on steering gears. etc, I need to understand exactly what your problem is to help. Merry Christmas

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this might help:Here is the Technical Service Bulletin that maybe of help, worth looking into but can't guarantee that it would fix your problem Steering - Steering Column Clunking When Turning TECHNICAL Bulletin No.: 01-02-32-001P Date: November 25, 2009 Subject: Clunk Felt/Noise Heard From Steering Column, Steering Gear and/or Front Of Vehicle During Turning Maneuver and/or Steering Wheel Rotation (Replace Intermediate Shaft As Directed) Models: 2001-2004 Buick Regal 2005-2008 Buick Allure (Canada Only), LaCrosse 2000-2008 Chevrolet Impala 2000-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue 2004-2007 Pontiac Grand Prix Supercede: This bulletin is being revised to add the 2008 Buick LaCrosse/Allure. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-02-32-001O (Section 02 - Steering). Condition Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from the front of the vehicle while driving during a turning maneuver.1. Locate a large area (parking lot) where the vehicle can be turned in a tight circle. 2. Turn the steering wheel to the right and/or left all the way to the steering lock, then off the steering lock a 1/4 turn. 3. Drive the vehicle approximately 5 km/h (3 mph) in a circle, preferably over rough pavement or seams on the road surface. 4. Drive the vehicle straight ahead at idle speed while applying and releasing the brake pedal. Listen/feel the steering wheel for the clunk/noise condition. 5. If a clunk is felt in the steering wheel, the MOST likely cause is the I-shaft - not the steering gear. Continue with the correction. Correction DO THIS - Replace the intermediate shaft DON'T DO THIS - DO NOT lube the intermediate shaft Replace the existing intermediate shaft

Air pressure good in tires? Idler and pitman arms would get loose. Jack up front wheels and grab them on each side and wiggle them from side to side. Watch for movement in the steering linkage. Then grab wheel on top and bottom. Wiggle it again. If it moves then, you need a wheel bearing Hub assembly or ball joint.

easiest check struts for leakage or if the top nut came loose.next Ball joints support bottom of lower control arm and try to move tire in and out on the bottom.next check bearing plate for movement by trying to move top of tire.last check tie rod ends by moving as in right turn left turn. do both sides. if one side is bad replace both sides so you don't have to tie up vehicle in a couple months.

this could be a bad inner axle joint check to see if the axle boot on the left side is torn or missing also check the wheel bearings and tie rod ends by jacking up the front of the vehicle one corner at a time and grab the tire at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position and wiggle it back and forth looking for excessive movement in the tie rod ends then reverse your hands to the top and bottom of the tire and try moving it from top to bottom checking for excessive wheel bearing movement it shouldn't move in or out at the top or bottom

Thank you for your question.
Let me try to assist...The tilt mechanisms are very reliable, and we experience very few failures. However, I have had to release a couple in the last few years...More than likely, the mechanism may just be loose, or bound up, as you have stated that it is in the highest position. Here is what you need to do: Under the steering column, remove the screws holding the lower plastic on. Seperate the bottom half from the top half, and set it aside. Remove the top half of the colum cover. Now, examine the tilt mechanism for loose bolts, or anything that may not move with the adjuster lever.
Sometimes, moving the adjuster lever and janking down on the wheel releases the bind, also.
I hope that this helps with your issue.